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G4S issued a statement saying it was concerned about allegations that its local staff may have been involved in the violence.

''Our duty of care to the transferees has always been and remains our highest priority. Our personnel on duty during the disturbances acted with courage, strength and determination to protect those in our care,'' the statement said.

Ms Bokan, who had been employed by the department for 12 months, has since been suspended after intervening on behalf of an asylum seeker.

She said she decided to step in when guards attacked an asylum seeker the morning after the unrest.

Ms Bokan said she urged guards to "let us talk and calm the situation down. Just give them some hope".

An Iranian man was killed and almost 80 others were injured in the attack.

Papua New Guinean police are investigating the violence, and the Australian government has offered assistance.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan, who is visiting Port Moresby, said he had received assurances from his PNG counterpart, Kerenga Kua, and Police Minister Nixon Duban that the investigation would be thorough.

"Following these discussions, I remain very confident that the PNG authorities are best to investigate the circumstances surrounding what is a very regrettable incident," Mr Keenan said.